PASSAGES - Pathway To Healing

Individual and Couple's Counselling

Seek Counselling to Deal With Emotional Stress:

If you are reading this then you are taking the first step in wanting to live a purposeful life. It is not unusual for people to be scared about seeking counselling. This can be for lots of reasons. Many people's culture or upbringing tells them that they should be able to handle their problems on their own, or that talking with a counselor is shameful. Some feel that only "crazy" people go for therapy (and don't want that label), or feel that their issues need to be earth-shattering to justify professional help. Others worry that going for counselling will make their problems all the more "real" — they'll be forced to look them in the face, and that can be very frightening. There are also those who fear that trying therapy once means going for the rest of their lives... which it doesn't.

Therapy is for people that choose to face their fears and difficulties so as to fully understand themselves and learn new ways of coping with life issues. There are many people who seek help for long standing issues or issues which have created a great deal of anguish in their lives. The point is, that the reasons people seek counselling are varied. Maria will provide you and only you, fifty minutes of her time without distractions and interruptions. One of the benefits of counselling with Maria is that you will learn to care for yourself in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere. Counselling will help you to gain insight into your feelings and behavior and to make the necessary changes to live a purposeful life.

Biography:

Education:

Maria received her Bachelor of Social Work degree in June 1985 from the University of Windsor; she returned to school in 2002 and obtained her Masters of Social Work degree in 2004. Maria also has a certificate in Couples Counselling from the Toronto School of Social Work. She is a 7 Principles Gottman Educator. Maria is a Reiki Master.

Career

Maria has practiced social work in the Windsor/Essex area for over 30 years and currently owns and operates her own counselling practice PASSAGES-Pathway to Healing; providing individual, relationship/marriage and family counselling.

Maria has worked in non-profit agencies such as Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association, Hiatus House, Sexual Assault Crisis Centre and Catholic Family Services. Maria's expertise includes working with individuals who have experienced trauma or loss, childhood sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), grief/loss, stress and co-dependency. Maria works mainly from a Solution-Focused perspective, guiding clients towards accepting themselves, recognizing and using their strengths and becoming active participants on the pathway to healing.

Maria joined the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) as a student and has been a member since 1984. She is a registered social worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) since 2000. Maria is also a member of the Ontario Association for Counselling and Attendance Services (OACAS) since 2012.

She was the author of a bi-monthly column entitled "Challenges and Choices" for the LaSalle Silhouette, a local community paper. She currently offers a social work perspective on the AM 800 Listener Dilemma, Dan MacDonald Show, every Tuesday.

Maria has been on the board of directors for: Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association, the LaSalle Women's Association, Sacred Heart School Council and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. She is currently on the Ontario Association for Counselling and Attendance Services (OACAS) Executive Council and served as President 2017-2019, Vice President 2015-2017, Past-President 2019-2021, Regional Rep 2013-2015 & 2021.

Maria is featured in the Who's Who of Canadian Women by Chatelaine Magazine. Maria was honored with the OASW-Southwestern Distinguished Social Work Service Award in 2010. In 2020, Maria received the lifetime membership award for the Ontario Association of Social Workers. In 2021, Maria received the Orville Watson Award.

Community Involvement:

She is involved in various committees within the community and the Ontario Association of Social Workers as well as the Ontario Association for Counselling and Attendance Services.

She is involved in various committees with the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board and the Ontario Association of Social Workers as well as the Ontario Associationfor Counselling and Attendance Services.

She is involved in various committees with the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board and the Ontario Association of Social Workers as well as the Ontario Association for Counselling and Attendance Services.